 The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that, effective January 21, 2026, it will pause issuing immigrant visas for people who are nationals of certain countries the government labels as “high risk of public benefits usage.” DOS says it is conducting a “full review” of policies to ensure immigrants are financially self-sufficient and do not become a “public charge.” This does not mean all visa processing stops. Applicants can still submit applications and attend interviews, but no immigrant visas will be issued to affected nationals during the pause.
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 If you are planning to marry a U.S. citizen (or you already are married) and want to apply for a marriage-based green card in 2026 while in the United States, the “normal” advice from previous years is no longer sufficient. In 2026, immigration officers are paying closer attention to timing, your current visa/status, and anything that suggests you planned to immigrate before you entered the U.S. Cases are getting riskier, and things that previously were excused or allowed under the immigration policy manual and rules can now cause major problems. This article is things you need to know to plan your marriage case successfully, especially under the new immigration rules and enforcement in 2026 under Trump.
 **NOTE** If you are from one of the banned countries aside from Iran, please see our article regarding how the travel ban works for all the travel ban countries.
If you are Iranian and thinking about living in the United States, the travel ban can make the process feel confusing and disheartening. It is a difficult time to be an immigrant or an aspiring immigrant to the United States. Headlines often make it sound like everything is frozen. Here’s the reality: U.S. immigration is a long process, and the travel ban usually affects the final step — not the entire journey. This article explains how the travel ban currently applies to Iranians after the 2025-2026 changes, what exceptions exist, and what practical steps families can take if they are serious about building a future in the U.S.  For many years, immigrants and their families relied on a common understanding: “If I’m married to a U.S. citizen and have a green card application pending, I’m allowed to stay in the U.S. while my case is decided.” That understanding is now breaking down in real and frightening ways.
In multiple parts of the country, people have been detained by ICE during or immediately after routine USCIS interviews—including marriage-based green card interviews--even when the person has no criminal history, and the only issue is a visa overstay. This is one of the most significant and least understood changes in today’s immigration landscape, and it affects families who honestly believed they were “doing everything the right way.”  Last updated: January 6, 2026 (reflects the December 16, 2025, proclamation now in effect as of January 1, 2026).
The U.S. travel ban announced in June 2025 is no longer the full story. On December 16, 2025, the government issued a new proclamation that expanded the ban from 19 countries to 39 countries. It took effect January 1, 2026.  On December 2, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Policy Memorandum directing officers nationwide to place an immediate decision hold on all pending “benefit requests” (in other words, applications) filed by individuals connected to countries designated under Presidential Proclamation 10949 who are currently in the United States.
 You went to your U.S. visa interview expecting a decision, but instead, you were told your case was going into administrative processing under Section 221(g). Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. When you check your visa case status on the CEAC website, it just says: "Refused." If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many visa applicants experience long 221(g) administrative processing delays, often without a clear reason. The good news: you are not stuck forever — and there are ways to take control of your case.
 Starting November 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will implement a major policy shift that changes where immigrant visa applicants must attend their consular interview. This update affects many families and individuals currently navigating the U.S. immigration process, and it’s important to understand how it may impact your case.
USCIS to Eliminate Paper-Based Payments: What Applicants Need to Know (Effective October 28, 2025)9/12/2025  Starting October 28, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will transition to electronic-only payments for immigration filing fees. This means applicants will no longer be able to pay with checks, money orders, or other paper-based methods, except in very limited circumstances.
 If you’re looking for a way to live and work in the United States—and you thought your only option was to find an employer to sponsor you—the E-2 visa might be the opportunity you’ve been missing. The E-2 visa allows you to move to the U.S. by investing in a business. You don’t need a job offer. You don’t need a big tech background. And you don’t even need to have a business idea figured out yet. Whether you're starting something new, buying an existing business, or joining a franchise, the E-2 visa puts you in control—and it gives your spouse the freedom to work independently too.
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Immigration lawyer Najmeh Mahmoudjafari, Esq. (ImmigraTrust Law) represents immigration law clients nationwide (all 50 States), globally and also in and around Orange County, including: Costa Mesa | Corona del Mar | Cypress | Fountain Valley | Garden Grove | Huntington Beach | Irvine | Los Alamitos | Los Angeles | Mission Viejo | Newport Beach | Orange | San Diego | San Francisco | Santa Ana | Stanton | Tustin | Westminster
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